National Center for Appropriate Technology

Natasha Crawford, a veteran and graduate of NCAT's Armed to Farm program, farms at @healinghopeurbangardens, in Chesterfield, Virginia. ?? We are so grateful that farmers like Natasha are working to feed the community, create spaces for healing and hope, and make our world healthier, cleaner, and more welcoming each and every day. ?? Natasha is one of the farmers featured in our Farmer Portrait series, by acclaimed filmmaker Graham Merriweather. Watch Natasha's portrait: https://buff.ly/n5ou0Xf Watch full series: https://buff.ly/AY3p7Ja #NCAT #ArmedtoFarm #womenshistorymonth #womeninag #womeninfarming

The wait is over! Our Best Practices in AgriSolar--the definitive guide with contributions from many of the leading voices in co-location--has been published. ?? Run, don't walk, to get your copy: https://buff.ly/43a9K23 #NCAT #solarfarming #agrivoltaics #landuse #stewardship #conservation #ecovoltaics

Local Food Systems Specialist Maura Henn is representing NCAT at the 2025 Marbleseed Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin! This conference, starting TODAY, February 20, will be three days of inspiration, education, and connection with the Midwest organic farming community. Make sure you don't miss the "Selling Farm-to-School Office Hours" Maura will be facilitating on Friday and Saturday along with Tomas Delgado of the National Farm to School Network on behalf of the Bringing the Farm to School through New Connections project. Stop by to ask questions and learn more about the project's Agricultural Producers' Toolkit. See you there! #Marbleseed2025 #NCAT #regenerativeagriculture #farmtoschool #localfood #localfoodsystems

"Farming is an excellent fit for veterans." We agree wholeheartedly. In this film, participants in an Armed to Farm training held in Arkansas late last year share what draws them to farming and how connecting with other veteran-farmers provides the community that supports them in their farming journey. #NCAT #ArmedtoFarm #Arkansas #farmers #ranchers #fortheloveof Watch: https://buff.ly/3X8reb7

Paul Wilson uses his walking stick and echo location to move around his 48-acre farm in Warfield, Virginia, where he raises vegetables and laying hens and is developing a sheep operation. Because Paul is blind, he's designing his operation to ensure that he can manage the sheep independently, with the help of Sadie, his Border Collie. Find out how Paul is implementing sustainable practices like silvopasture (with funding from Accelerating Appalachia) on more than half of his land. Paul's inspiring story is the sixth in our series of portraits celebrating the farmers and ranchers NCAT supports. Watch Paul's portrait: https://buff.ly/42QFQ2H Watch the full series: https://buff.ly/4hPGSA4 #NCAT #Regenerativeagriculture #fortheloveof #ranchers #smallfarmers

In both rural and urban settings, small farms bring more than just good food to the table - they also bring a culture of support, interdependence, beauty, and even fun to our communities. Local food systems succeed when communities support small farms and celebrate everything they offer, from the tangible crops they grow to the less tangible way these farms enrich our lives. In our latest ATTRA Blog post, NCAT Senior Manager Mike Lewis shows small farms some love, highlighting the important role small farms have played and can continue to play in our communities. Image description: Photo of two women working among rows of vegetables, with a house and high tunnel in the background. One text box overlays the photo, saying, "For the love of small farms," and another text box holds the quote: "The loss of small farms means the loss of shared traditions—harvest festivals, barn raisings, and local markets where neighbors gathered not just to trade goods, but to build relationships." Read here: https://buff.ly/4jPEET8 #NCAT #regenerativeagriculture #localfood #localfoodsystems #localfoodmovement #fortheloveof

"I don't know of anything I'd rather be doing right now." That's how Wayne Riley, founder of the nonprofit Laurel County African American Heritage Center, in London, KY, describes the work he does, growing food for his community on the land his grandfather farmed. The Laurel Country African American Heritage Center operates an educational farm that provides agricultural training so community members can grow, process, and preserve their own food, and it houses an emergency food pantry that serves community members who are regularly faced with the choice between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Wayne's is the fifth portrait in our series celebrating the farmers and ranchers NCAT supports. Watch Wayne's portrait: https://buff.ly/42JmP1U Watch the full series: https://buff.ly/3CD3nt6 #NCAT #regenerativeagriculture #farmers #ranchers

Running a family farm means spending a LOT of time with, well, family. Kirsten Marra of Muddy Roots Farm in Wallingford, CT, reflects on the joys of farming and the ways in which working alongside her spouse both challenges and strengthens their bond. Kirsten Marra and Chris Wellington grow vegetables and raise pastured poultry and pork at Muddy Roots. Kirsten comes from a long line of dairy farmers, and Muddy Roots Farm operates on leased land in the community where Kirsten’s family raised dairy cows for generations. Kirsten's profile is part of our Farmer Profile series, which celebrates the farmers and ranchers NCAT supports. Watch Kirsten's full profile: https://buff.ly/3WxsRig Watch the series of Farmer Profiles: https://buff.ly/4ayN7pE #NCAT #farmers #ranchers #SustainablePoultry #SustainableLivestock #FarmtoTable

"One of the most beneficial uses of cover crops is to reduce the use of on-farm inputs. Cover crops can greatly help farmers grow their own fertility and significantly reduce or eliminate nitrogen fertilizer." ATTRA's updated publication "Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures" https://buff.ly/3E9JY3s summarizes the effect of these plantings on organic matter and soil structure, soil microbial activity, nitrogen production, and soil and water conservation. It explains management practices that can help producers get the most out of their cover crops, whether they are using them in the field, in the garden, or as livestock forage.

Join us as we dig into what makes Puerto Rican agricultural systems sustainable in our latest Voices from the Field podcast episode! ?? ?? NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-velez talks with researcher Joseph Navarro. They discuss how indigenous practices supported self-sufficiency during pre-colonial times and explore the evolution of agriculture through colonial and industrial transitions. Joseph also shares about his research and practices he is using that have the potential to address modern challenges like soil erosion, food insecurity, and climate resilience. Listen here: https://buff.ly/4awZmCQ #NCAT #regenerativeagriculture #agroecology #PuertoRico